“The church has been very generous both with their space and with the cost using their space,” said McMillan. The challenge for the house is that all of the activities take place in the hall, and sometimes simultaneously, so it can be a bit noisy for some participants, she said.

McMillan and Jessica Fiddler, program assistant and volunteer coordinator for the neighbourhood house, are the only two paid staff.

“I used to be full-time, but I’m only part-time because of the flood,” Fiddler said.

She manages the space, but participants are the ones who run programs and handle equipment.

“[The house is] a volunteer- and community-driven space,” Fiddler said.

Volunteers needed

The neighbourhood house is looking for more volunteers to help run the reception, take flyers out to the community, help clean the kitchen following community meals and to be a bilingual (Cantonese or Mandarin) mentor for one or two of the computer labs.

Fiddler is also hoping to bring in student volunteers and said Langara students are welcome to contact her if they are interested.